Code of conduct#

As used during the Dynamical Oceanography 2025/26 course at Utrecht University

Please read this code of conduct, fill out the [parts between brackets] after consultation with your group, remove these italic sections, and then all individually upload a copy to Brightspace before Friday 20 February 17:00.

Note that the Code of Conduct applies to the actual collaboration within your group in the VirtualShip Assignment; so is not about how you would work on the ship.

This code of conduct has been decided by [NAMES] for their group project during the Virtual Ship Classroom and is enacted from [DD-MM-YYYY]. The procedure is based on an exercise by Aurelia Moser.

Everyone taking part in the course and group discussions (mentors, helpers, coordinators, and learners) is required to conform to the following Code of Conduct. Coordinators will oversee adherence to this code throughout the course.

Characteristics we value: [FILL IN]

Behaviours we encourage: [FILL IN]

Behaviours we discourage: [FILL IN]

The way we redistribute the grade: [FILL IN]

Choose for example “Everyone in the team gets the same grade”, “Everyone can propose a bonus point to one other person, which is then subtracted from other team member’s grades”, “We decide as a group who gets up to x bonus/penalty points”, or any other way to redistribute the grade, as long as the average of the group is not affected.

We make each others feel safe and supported by: [FILL IN]

How to report an issue, should someone violate the code?

  1. Contact the course instructor by private message, or in person. All communication will be treated as confidential.

  2. If for any reason you don’t want to do 1, you can contact the university Academic Integrity Counsellor.

Community Participation Guidelines#

Apart from the code of conduct, all participants in this course must follow these general guidelines.

Participation Guidelines

When participating in Dynamical Oceanography, respect the Utrecht University guideline for academic and scientific integrity and code of conduct. These guidelines cover our behaviour as participants, mentors, experts, staff, volunteers, and anyone else involved in making this course possible.

How to treat each other

To create a collaborative and inviting learning environment, we also emphasise certain values in how we treat each other:

  • Be respectful and value each other’s ideas, styles and viewpoints.

  • Be direct but professional; we cannot withhold hard truths.

  • Be inclusive and help new perspectives be heard.

  • Appreciate and accommodate our many cultural practices, attitudes and beliefs.

  • Be open to learning from others.

  • Lead by example and match your actions with your words.

The following will not be tolerated during the activities related to this course:

  • violence and threats of violence.

  • personal attacks; derogatory language.

  • unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact.

  • disruptive behavior.

  • influencing unacceptable behavior.

Inclusion and Diversity#

We welcome contributions from everyone as long as they interact constructively with our community, including, but not limited to people of varied age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, geographical location and religious views.

Raising Issues

If you believe you‘re experiencing practices which don‘t meet the above policies, or if you feel you are being harassed in any way, please immediately contact the course coordinator, or the university Academic Integrity Counsellor.

The course coordinator reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone violating these policies, and/or take further action including reporting to the responsible figure for academic integrity at the department.